Chapter 8 - ELENA'S CHOICE Mark offered Elena something she never expected.
“You don't have to work here anymore.”
Elena looked at him.
“I know.”
“I mean it. You can leave. I'll make sure you're compensated.”
She looked toward Clara.
“Does she know I'm leaving?”
Mark hesitated.
“No.”
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
“Then I don't want to leave.”
Mark stared at her.
“You almost got seriously hurt.”
“I know.”
“You could have died.”
“I know that too.”
“Then why stay?”
Elena smiled sadly.
“Because Clara needs someone she trusts.”
Mark looked at his daughter.
The little girl was holding a yellow block.
Then she looked toward Elena.
“Lena!”
Elena laughed.
Clara ran into her arms.
Mark watched quietly.
He realized something important.
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Family was not always determined by blood.
Sometimes it was determined by who stayed when everything fell apart.
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Chapter 9 - A NEW HOME The mansion changed slowly.
Chapter 10 - THE FIRST COURT HEARING Victoria appeared in court wearing a plain gray uniform.
Chapter 11 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED Clara was too young to testify.
Chapter 12 - THE SECOND SECRET Just when Mark thought the worst was over, his attorney called.
Chapter 13 - THE LAST PIECE OF THE PUZZLE The investigator eventually discovered the truth.
Chapter 14 - THE SENTENCE Months later, the final hearing arrived.
